THE LIMB IN SECTION 33 



factor to the greater freedom of the radio-carpal joint. The posterior 

 common ligament, at the point of its attachment to the semilunar bone, 

 is observed to be equidistant from the front of the semilunar and the 

 back of the pisiform bone. It is only at its edges that the ligament is 

 attached to the metacarpal bone, and this admits of the suspensory 

 ligament taking origin from the bones of the lower row of the carpus. 

 Consequently this attachment is not represented in a section such as the 

 one we are now considering. 



The antero-posterior dimension of the tube for the carpal sheath is 

 greatest immediately behind the radio-carpal joint and least extensive 

 between the posterior prolongation of the semilunar bone and the pisiform 

 — the latter dimension being almost equal only to that of a section of 

 the last-named bone. The tendons of the perforatus and perforans 

 flexors are shown as they lie in the tube, and it will be noticed that 

 between the semilunar and pisiform bones the tendons are very closely 

 applied to one another. In adopting a method of treatment for surgical 

 affections of the knee {e.g., broken knees) which involves the application 

 of continued pressure over the region of the pisiform, this pressure 

 should be applied by means of a figure-eight bandage, and the point of 

 the bone either omitted whilst bandaging or protected as already indi- 

 cated. If the pressure be applied in the antero-posterior direction, 

 the tendons will be unduly compressed between the pisiform and the 

 prominence of the semilunar bone, and permanent interference with the 

 freedom of action of the tendons may result. 



The continuity which exists between the posterior common ligament 

 and the subcarpal or check ligament is distinctly evident, as is also the 

 position where the latter becomes blended with the tendon of the 

 perforans muscle. 



Below the knee the inner surface of the right half of the large 

 metacarpal bone is represented. Lying on the back of the bone is the 

 superior sesamoidean ligament, the origin of which from the lower row 

 of the carpal bones and upper extremity of the metacarpal, is plainly 



